Meaning: This quote by politician Rick Santorum touches on the topic of strategic decision-making in relation to the pursuit of Usama bin Laden. Santorum asserts that the strategic decision to go after bin Laden was made by President Bush, while the decision made with bin Laden was a tactical one. He also criticizes President Obama's strategic decision-making, stating that he has gotten it wrong every single time.

To understand this quote fully, it's important to delve into the historical context and the significance of the decisions made by both Presidents Bush and Obama in relation to Usama bin Laden.

The pursuit of Usama bin Laden, the leader of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda, was a critical component of the United States' response to the 9/11 attacks. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, President George W. Bush declared a "War on Terror" and made it a strategic priority to capture or kill bin Laden and dismantle al-Qaeda.

In this context, the "strategic decision" referred to by Santorum likely encompasses the broader policy and military efforts to combat terrorism, including the decision to invade Afghanistan in 2001 in order to root out al-Qaeda and topple the Taliban regime that harbored them. This decision was indeed made by President Bush and aligned with the broader strategic goals of the War on Terror.

The "tactical decision" mentioned in the quote likely refers to specific military and intelligence operations aimed at locating and targeting bin Laden himself. These operations would have involved tactical considerations such as the deployment of special forces, intelligence gathering, and the coordination of efforts with allies and partner nations.

The successful culmination of this pursuit came on May 2, 2011, during President Obama's administration, when a team of U.S. Navy SEALs conducted a raid on bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, resulting in his death. This operation was a significant tactical success and marked a major milestone in the broader strategic effort to combat terrorism.

Santorum's assertion that President Obama got it "wrong strategically every single time" likely reflects his criticism of Obama's broader approach to national security and foreign policy. Without specific context for the issues Santorum is referencing, it is challenging to provide a detailed analysis of each instance he may be alluding to. However, it is evident that Santorum believes that Obama's approach to national security and foreign policy was flawed in multiple instances during his presidency.

It's important to note that discussions of strategic and tactical decisions in politics and military operations can be complex and multifaceted. Strategic decisions encompass long-term planning and overarching goals, while tactical decisions involve the specific actions taken to achieve those goals. Both are crucial in shaping the outcomes of conflicts and shaping foreign policy initiatives.

In conclusion, Santorum's quote encompasses a range of complex issues related to national security, counterterrorism efforts, and the decision-making of two U.S. presidents in the pursuit of Usama bin Laden. It highlights the interplay between strategic and tactical decision-making in the context of combating terrorism and underscores the ongoing debates and criticisms surrounding these efforts.